kwashiorkor

noun

kwash·​i·​or·​kor ˌkwä-shē-ˈȯr-kər How to pronounce kwashiorkor (audio) -ȯr-ˈkȯr How to pronounce kwashiorkor (audio)
: severe malnutrition in infants and children especially of impoverished regions caused by a diet low in protein

Examples of kwashiorkor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Meanwhile, Calvin’s lack of protein had swollen his abdomen and legs, a particular type of malnutrition called kwashiorkor. Julia Michie Bruckner, Discover Magazine, 13 Nov. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Ga (Kwa language of coastal Ghana) kwàṣìɔkɔ́ influence a child is said to be under when a second child comes

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kwashiorkor was in 1935

Dictionary Entries Near kwashiorkor

Cite this Entry

“Kwashiorkor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kwashiorkor. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

kwashiorkor

noun
kwash·​i·​or·​kor ˌkwäsh-ē-ˈȯr-kər How to pronounce kwashiorkor (audio)
: a disease of young children resulting from not getting enough protein to eat

Medical Definition

kwashiorkor

noun
kwa·​shi·​or·​kor ˌkwäsh-ē-ˈȯr-kȯr How to pronounce kwashiorkor (audio) -ȯ(r)-ˈkȯr How to pronounce kwashiorkor (audio)
: severe malnutrition chiefly affecting young children especially of impoverished regions that is characterized by failure to grow and develop, changes in the pigmentation of the skin and hair, edema, fatty degeneration of the liver, anemia, and apathy and is caused by a diet excessively high in carbohydrate and extremely low in protein compare pellagra

More from Merriam-Webster on kwashiorkor

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!